What is the reason behind the rule?

The answer to this question is always on my mind. Sam is very much like me. If we agree with the reason, we are much more likely to comply to the rule. It sometimes gets us in trouble (okay, maybe more than sometimes), but applied correctly leads to freedom and growth.

I have been applying this rule to the NILD priciple of handwriting. They teach and have student practice a specific handwriting style and ask all students to change to their way. from my students with near illegible handwriting (and this includes Sam) I have been getting resistance. They don't like making the letters that way, it's too hard, etc.

The reason behind--gain fine motor skills, develop consistancy and competency so that writing by hand is not a dreaded chore any longer. So, Sam and I decided if he didn't like making his letters in a certain way, he could change them. We developed our own cursive. We named it Samelian (Sam + D'nelian). He now has a standard to aim for that he has chosen for himself. Half the battle is no longer an issue. The other half, practice, practice, practice is all that is left.

The flying is going well so far, but school hasn't started in earnest yet. We did a half day of school today and will do the other half tomorrow (we are getting haircuts tomorrow). Then we'll have normal days the rest of the week.

I spent some serious money this month. I bought a science curriculum. It is called Apologia General Science (see www.apologia.com) It is designed to be self-taught (which is not a problem with Sam), it is Christian-based and honors our creator. It is a 7th grade level and Sam is loving it (we downloaded the first chapter free to make sure we liked it). I also bought Sonlight Core 4, which takes American history from civil war to modern times. This is really just a survey of American History. He'll get it more indepth in a couple of years. I think we'll finish it by August. It is a lot of reading of really interesting books--this is not a chore for members of this family.

Hope you are all having a great start to the new year!

Jenny